Visiting Sacramento & California Gold Country

Sacramento, the heart of California’s Capital Region, is filled with the history of the legendary California Gold Rush. Home to California’s state government, Sacramento now draws visitors for a variety of pursuits. Sports fans now flock to to Raley Field, Power Balance Pavilion and Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Seekers of the arts find luck at the Sacramento Convention Center Complex at venues like the Sacramento Community Center Theater and Memorial Auditorium with performances of the Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sacramento Opera. The neoclassical California State Capitol anchors Capitol Park and is also home to the California State Capitol Museum.

Riches still abound in Sacramento and California’s gold rush country.

The 2012 Sacramento Beer Week is on the calendar for February 24 through March 4. Featuring a variety of events and activities throughout Sacramento at Pubs and breweries, Beer Week culminates with Capital Beerfest and Sacramento Brewers Showcase, at Cal Expo on February 25. Featuring more than 70 local and regional brews, an indoor beer garden and plenty of food and entertainment. Designate a driver and celebrate the 3rd Annual Sacramento Beer Week.

Get ready for spring-cleaning and summer fun at Cal Expo’s March events. The 2012 Sacramento Home & Garden Show March 2 through the 4. The following week, the Sacramento Boat show & Offroad Extravaganza is held March 8 through the 11 - the Sacramento RV Show is also the same weekend. Get the latest ideas for sprucing up your home and then pick your toys for a summer of California fun – all at Sacramento’s Cal Expo.

The University of California, Davis, the largest campus in the University of California system, sits 15 miles west of Sacramento. A hub of activity for the community of Davis, UC Davis is home to the Mondavi Center, UC Davis Pavilion, Aggie Stadium and UC Davis Medical Center. Sports fans are in luck throughout the school year with UCD Aggies Athletics hosting a variety of sporting events.

Music lovers, the UC Davis Department of Music presents the UC Davis Jazz Bands at the Mondavi Center on March 7 and the UCD Symphony Orchestra performs “On Our Way to Spain," on March 11. April brings a diversity of performances from Bettye LaVette on April 13 and Florence and the Machine on April 18, to the Lyris String Quartet and Baroque Ensemble from UCD on April 28 and 29. A visit to Davis rewards with a variety of entertainment options.

To the northeast of Sacramento, the city of Roseville is located along I-80. A burgeoning suburb of Sacramento, the 20-mile commute is simple, but can get congested during rush hour. Travelers are sure to notice Roseville’s 80-foot tall red sculpture. Located in Roseville Sculpture Park, the sculpture, titled “Cosmos” was a gift to the community of Roseville and symbolizes unity.